BSc Microbiology
About this course
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, a microbiology degree centred on the study of microbial diversity, physiology, and metabolism across environmental and medical contexts. Core topics include Research Methods, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students undertake independent research projects in their final year within facilities located in the Life Sciences building. The first year establishes core foundations through compulsory modules such as Fundamentals of Biochemistry, Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology, How to Think Like a Scientist, Organisms and their Environment, and Origins of Biodiversity. The second year progresses into specialised subject matter with compulsory studies in Applied and Environmental Biochemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Fundamentals of Microbiology, and Medical Microbiology. Students can also tailor their learning in later stages by choosing from various optional subjects including Bioinformatics, Global Health, and Immunology, Infection and Inflammation. Optional modules in the final year span specialized fields such as Biomedical Parasitology, Bioscience Business, Ecosystem Cycles and Microbial Communities, and Microbiomes and Health, alongside practical laboratory or in-silico research projects.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB including Biology and one further science subject. IB: Pass with overall score of 32 points, with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 and 6 points at Higher Level in Biology and one further science subject
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What students say
Based on about 149 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 350 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 91 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 57%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 17%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 13%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 77%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 58%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 48%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 280 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 24%
- South East: 43%
- South West: 13%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 180 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 94%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Access course: 1%
- Foundation course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry
- Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology
- How to Think Like a Scientist
- Organisms and their Environment
- Origins of Biodiversity
- Applied and Environmental Biochemistry
- Environmental Microbiology
- Fundamentals of Microbiology
- Medical Microbiology
- Bioinformatics
- Cell Biology
- Engineering Replacement Body Parts
- Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde
- Flow of Genetic Information
- Global Health
- Global Sustainability Challenges
- Immunology, Infection and Inflammation
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Plant Development and Function
- Population and Community Ecology
- Principles of Neuroscience
- Principles of Pharmacology
- Quantitative Methods in Biological and Environmental Science
- Vertebrate Development
- Vertebrate Zoology
- Applied Plant Biology
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Biomedical Parasitology
- Biomedical Technology
- Bioscience Business
- Cancer Chromosome Biology
- Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Ecosystem Cycles and Microbial Communities
- Evolution and Genetics
- Immunology
- In-Silico Research Project
- Laboratory Research Project
- Microbiomes and Health
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Molecular Recognition
- Molecular and Structural Basis of Disease
- Neurodegenerative Disease
- Pharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
- Science Communication
- Selective Toxicity
- Systems Neuroscience
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Microbiology at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £35,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £45,000. The £35,500 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Microbiology and cell science.
What do graduates of BSc Microbiology at University of Southampton do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Microbiology at University of Southampton?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Microbiology at University of Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 146 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Microbiology at University of Southampton?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.